When I checked my friend’s horse’s mouth, I noticed sores inside its cheeks. His vet later confirmed sharp enamel points on the cheek teeth. My grandson, who was watching me check the horse’s mouth, asked the question most horse owners eventually ask: How often do horses need their teeth floated? Most adult horses should have …
Do horses need companion animals? In most cases, yes. Horses are social herd animals that usually do best with a companion. Key facts: Best companion: Another horse is ideal, but goats, ponies, donkeys, miniature horses, and llamas can also provide valuable social interaction. Behavior benefits: Companion animals can reduce stress, separation anxiety, and stereotypic behaviors …
Owners learn pretty quickly that a horse will tell you what surface it prefers. Some struggle on dirt but wake up on grass. Others look like turf specialists on paper — bred for it, built for it — and never quite handle the footing once they actually race on it. Here’s what separates the two …
If you think your horse may have navicular syndrome—or your veterinarian has recently diagnosed it—you are probably wondering what it means for his comfort, usefulness, and future. Navicular syndrome is a chronic cause of heel pain and front-foot lameness in horses. It is not usually something that can be cured and forgotten, but many horses …
As we were loading our horses, I asked my daughter to ensure we had Coggins test certificates in the truck. My grandson overheard our conversation and said he’ll check, but what are they? The Coggins test detects Equine Infectious Anemia(EIA), a disease not unlike HIV, but in horses. It is a rare disease, but it …
Thirteen horses have won the American Triple Crown: Sir Barton was first in 1919, and Justify was the most recent in 2018. To make the list, a three-year-old Thoroughbred must win the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes in one demanding five-week stretch – a test of class, recovery, soundness, pace, and luck that …
A yearling colt I took in years ago arrived with watery manure pooling beneath him in the trailer. My vet told me plainly that he was in trouble: a heavy parasite load had him in poor shape, and treatment needed to start immediately. That colt taught me something I haven’t forgotten – diarrhea is usually …
In a handicap race, the better horse is asked to carry more weight and prove it. The idea is to keep the race honest, and any horseman knows a few pounds can matter a lot more than most people think. How a Handicap Race Works In most horse races, horses carry weight determined by race …
I do most of my riding in Western tack, but a good saddle pad has the same basic job in any discipline: it must fit the saddle, stay clear of the withers and spine, and be easy on the horse’s back. Dressage adds one extra consideration for riders headed to recognized shows—your pad should be …
Thinking about taking your horse swimming but unsure whether it’s safe? Before you head into deep water, there’s more to consider than whether your horse is willing to walk in. His fitness and confidence, the footing and exit, and hazards you can’t see from shore can make the difference between a good experience and a …
